Directory_and_Chronicle_1907 — Page 804

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

KIAOCHAU

709

iron pier, was provisionally opened in September. Both have direct connection with the railway. The hills are nearly bare rock of granite and porphyry, but an extensive scheme of afforestation has been decided upon. The soil of the valleys between the ranges and the plain country on the north-east is alluvial and very fertile, and is carefully cultivated. Wheat, barley, millet, maize, and many other grains in smaller quantities are grown. The foreign residential quarter at Tsingtau has been well laid out, and there is a good foreign Hotel. The first sod of the Shantung Railway was cut by Prince Henry of Prussia in October, 1899, and the line to Tsinanfu was opened on the 1st June, 1964. It did a prosperous business in 1905, conveying 303,000 tons of goods and 795,000 passengers. The coal mines are progress- ing favourably, and silk factories, a brewery, soap factory, and a tannery are in full work. Fruit grafting is just becoming a promising enterprise. The development of the town of Tsingtau has made considerable progress; the town is partly lit by electricity, houses are springing up in all directions, and a system of water supply has now been completed. The new harbour works are progressing. The outer break- water and two piers are completed, and have been in use since March, 1904. The dry dock commenced operations in October, 1905, and was busy during the winter. There are two German newspapers published, a weekly paper called the Deutsch Asiatische Warte and a daily paper called Tsingtao Neueste Nachrichten. The climate is temperate, and it is expected that the Bay will in course of time become a summer resort for the residents of Shanghai, there being an excellent bathing_beach. The net value of the trade of the port for 1905 was Tls. 22,322,680, against Tls. 18,863,808 in 1904, and Tls. 14,598,411 in 1903. These figures illustrate the way in which Kiaochau is advancing to the front as a trade emporium. Kiaochau has become the principal market in North China for straw braid. Passengers and goods now freely move to and from the hinterland without any Customs control or restriction. The revenue of the Colony for the current year is estimated at 1,500,000 marks, as compared with 798,000 marks in 1906, and the treasury contribution is fixed at 11,700,000 marks, about two millions less than in 1906. The colonial expenditure is estimated at 13,200,000 marks, about equally divided between recurring and extraordinary. The items are:-Civil administration 1,300,000 marks; military administration 3,300,000; harbour works 2,300,000) marks (in 1906, 3,410,000 marks was set aside for this); building of houses 1,100,000 marks; making of roads, &c., 1,000,000 marks; building houses for workmen 50,000 marks; and for afforestation 80,000 marks.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1907 — Page 804

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